Improvement in smoothing-irons



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABEL BUGKLEY WVIMPENNY, OF HAYFIELD, GREAT BRITAIN IMPROVEMENT IN SMOOTHlNG-IRONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,401, dated March 4, 1873.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ABEL BUCKLEY WIM- PENNY, of Hayfield, in the county of Derby, Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, have invented Improvements in in the Construction of Smoothing-Irons, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of smoothing-irons in which steam is used for heating; and consists in certainimprovements described hereafter for preventing radiation of heat from the upper surface of the iron and for facilitating the connection of the flexible tubes to the iron and to the steam-generator.

Figure 1 of the annexed drawing represents a longitudinal section of my improved smoothing-iron, a a being the hollow box or case, which I prefer to make of copper or brass. b is the handle, supported by pillars c c. d d is a non-conductin g cover for preventing radiation of heat from the upper face of the case. 0 c is a flexible tube for the admission of steam to the inside of the box a, and f is the escape tube for the water of condensation. These tubes are attached to short pipes projecting from a plug screwed into the box, and may be supplied with regulating-cocks. The wastepipe f f is supplied with a clip, j, consisting of a U shaped spring hanging upon the upper tube and embracing the lower one with greater or less pressure, regulated by a thumbscrew passing through both arms of the clip. The passage of steam or water through the pipef may be regulated as required by adj usting the clip so as to open or close the opening in the pipe. The steam-pipe 6 may be connected to the generator in any suitable manner.

One mode is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, showing the manner in which an ordinary tea-kettle may be employed as a steam-generator. The spout of the kettle g is closed by a screwcap, h, or otherwise, and in place of the ordinary lid a cover, i, is used, which cover may be sold with and form part of the ironing apparatus. A packing is placed between the kettle and cover, and the latter is secured by turning a screw, 1., until it bears against the lower side of the bail or handle of the kettle.

The tube 0 communicates with a short pipe,

m, extending from the cover, and the latter may also be provided with a safety-valve, 02.

Claims.

1. The cover d, of non-conducting material, applied as and for the purpose described.

2. The clip j, hung to the upper tube and arranged to embrace and compress the lower Witnesses ILLIUS M. TIMMIS, JOHN HUGHES. 

